Dublin: Housing Targets Questioned as Taoiseach Claims 50,000 Homes a Year Are Achievable

Despite Ireland falling short of its housing targets last year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has claimed that the country can build up to 50,000 homes annually—a statement that has drawn sharp scrutiny from opposition parties and housing analysts.

According to figures confirmed by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), 36,284 homes were completed last year, well below the government’s target of 41,000 units. This represents a shortfall of nearly 5,000 homes. Experts estimate that Ireland requires between 50,000 and 60,000 new homes each year to meet demand driven by population growth.

Against this backdrop, the Taoiseach’s assertion has been widely questioned. Martin himself acknowledged that last year’s completion figures fell far short of previous government targets. However, he maintained that increased public sector investment could help bridge the gap and push annual output toward the 50,000 mark.

Speaking on the issue, Martin said there was a “clear and realistic pathway” to achieving the target over the next decade, provided housing delivery keeps pace with demographic growth. At the same time, he conceded that the State would never be able to fully fund the construction of 50,000 homes annually on its own.

“The State will provide substantial public funding, but greater private sector involvement—particularly in apartment construction—is essential,” Martin said. He added that measures such as VAT reductions in the budget, revised apartment zoning guidelines, and directives issued to local authorities were designed to create a more favourable investment environment for housing development.

Rent Reforms Spark Fresh Debate

The Taoiseach also defended new rental reforms set to come into effect from March 1. Under the changes, landlords will be permitted to increase rents every six years or when tenants voluntarily vacate a property. The opposition, however, has warned that the measures could lead to sharp rent hikes and encourage landlords to exit the rental market, further deepening the housing crisis.

Social Democrats Leader Launches Scathing Attack

Meanwhile, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns launched a blistering attack on the government over what she described as its continued failure to address the housing emergency. Speaking at the closing session of her party’s national conference at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork, Cairns labelled the government’s record on housing as an “unbroken series of failures.”

Cairns highlighted that nearly 17,000 people—including more than 5,000 children—are currently homeless in Ireland, warning that such figures must never be normalised. “We have heard countless promises. All have failed,” she said, while rejecting the notion that the crisis is beyond resolution.

She argued that the opposition’s role was not only to hold the government accountable but also to present credible and effective alternatives. As part of this approach, the Social Democrats unveiled their housing policy, which includes a proposal to establish a State-owned construction company. While critics have labelled the plan “radical” and time-consuming to implement, Cairns insisted the government’s failure stemmed from its reluctance to act decisively or change policy direction.

AI Regulation and Foreign Policy Stance

Cairns also outlined the party’s stance on tackling illegal AI-generated content, including explicit images involving adults and children. She said the Social Democrats would seek legislation granting individuals copyright over their image and voice, enabling stronger legal action against harmful digital misuse.

“It is time to switch off toxic algorithms that expose children to harmful content and to prosecute social media companies that break the law,” she said, calling for new digital rights legislation.

On foreign policy, Cairns urged the Taoiseach to clearly articulate the position of the Irish people during his upcoming visit to the Oval Office. She said Ireland should stand firm alongside its EU partners, refuse to yield to pressure, and openly state its opposition to the domestic and foreign policies of US President Donald Trump.